FG: Rising Wave of Insurgency, Terrorism Have Assumed Complex International Outlook

•It’s scaring away investors, creating humanitarian challenges, Abbas laments

Adedayo Akinwale and Linus Aleke in Abuja

The federal government has expressed concern over the rise in insurgency and terrorism, stating that the incidents have taken on complex international dimensions.

Speaking at a workshop on the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, stated that Nigeria had struggled with criminal victimisation for decades, which had severely affected citizens’ safety and well-being. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, lamented that insecurity was scaring away investors and creating humanitarian challenges through the displacement of families.

The federal government emphasised the importance of strengthening internal security in Nigeria through international cooperation. Gaidam stressed that adopting methodologies employed by INTERPOL could significantly mitigate Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

He emphasised the need for Nigeria to embrace international standards to safeguard lives, property, and infrastructure, thereby fostering economic development and stability.

The minister also highlighted the progress made in fulfilling the ministry’s mandates, including the establishment of 24/7 internet service for the West Africa Police Information System and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with INTERPOL.

The workshop, themed, “Strengthening Internal Security: A Path to a Safer Nigeria,” aimed to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies in leveraging INTERPOL’s tools to foster peace and security across Nigeria.

Gaidam urged stakeholders to embrace INTERPOL’s principles and foster partnerships that will lead to a crime-free nation in the near future.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the country was faced with rising security threats, hence, the imperative of the workshop to find innovative solutions to the threats.

Represented by Major General Olatokunbo Bello, Musa stated that the workshop would provide an opportunity for the participants to share ideas, collaborate, and improve Interpol activities that will help tackle security issues in Nigeria.

Chairman of Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), stated that security had taken a new dimension in the 21st century, and the threats were no longer primarily coming from conventional factors.

In his remarks, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Patrick Daaor, stated that the cornerstones of effective internal security were trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ogbonnaya Nila, stated that the three-day capacity-building workshop was a significant step towards changing the narrative in the security sector.

Meanwhile, Abbas lamented that insecurity was scaring away investors and creating humanitarian challenges. He said, despite the challenges, the country’s security forces had continued to work hard within their constitutional powers to maintain security of lives and property.

Abbas spoke at a public hearing on a bill for the establishment of a Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund.

He said the bill was aimed at boosting the capacity of Nigeria’s security and intelligence architecture to effectively pursue their constitutional mandate of security of lives and property.

The speaker stated that the importance of security could not be overemphasised, especially in a country like Nigeria that was trying to attract investment and create opportunities for jobs and employment of the youth.

He stated, “I must admit that security has been a major challenge in our country. We cannot gloss over the loss of human lives and materials arising from banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, oil and solid minerals theft, insurgency, among others.

“These have had the combined effect of scaring investors and creating humanitarian challenges through the displacement of families.

“They have also created issues with food security arising from desertion of farms by farmers. It is, therefore, imperative that we use the instrumentality of the law to effectively address these challenges.”

Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, said the bill sought to provide funding for security and intelligence related matters outside of the usual budgetary provisions.

Meanwhile, Abbas, who lamented that insecurity was scaring away investors and creating humanitarian challenges, said, despite the challenges, the country’s security forces had continued to work hard within its constitutional powers to maintain security of lives and property.

Abbas stated this at a public hearing on a bill for the establishment of a Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund.

He said the Bill was aimed at boosting the capacity of Nigeria’s security and intelligence architecture to effectively pursue their constitutional mandate of security of lives and property.

The speaker noted that the importance of security could not be overemphasised, especially in a country like Nigeria that was pulling all the necessary plugs to attract investment and create opportunities for jobs and employment of our youths.

“I must admit that security has been a major challenge in our country. We cannot gloss over the loss of human lives and materials arising from banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, oil and solid minerals theft, insurgency among others.

“These have had the combined effect of scaring investors and creating humanitarian challenges through the displacement of families.

“They have also created issues with food security arising from desertion of farms by farmers. It is therefore imperative that we use the instrumentality of the law to effectively address these challenges.”

The Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, also said the Bill sought to provide funding for security and intelligence related matters outside of the usual budgetary provisions.